Chocksett musician, mentor retires

Lifelong musician and music teacher, Suzanne Basiul, gave 34 years to Houghton and Chocksett school students with enthusiasm and love.

For Basiul, her excitement in music-filled days never faded because every day reminded her why she teaches.

“The one joy that I experience new every day is seeing the excitement when children come to my room with smiles and enthusiasm to perform,” Basiul said in an interview this week. She added she enjoyed “when they have that ‘whoa, that was cool moment,’ when they learn something new or perform. I love to show them that what they are doing is fantastic.”

Over 100 teachers, students, parents and former students filled the Chocksett Middle School Gymnasium recently to hear her last concert. One of Basiul’s current students, Katie Cronin, who sang in the choir and played piano that evening, was supported by her parents in the crowd. Katie’s father, Dave Cronin, praised Basiul for her passion and care.

“She has definitely influenced Katie. She puts in a lot of extra time, personal time,” Cronin said.

Cailey Bussier, a former student of Basiul’s, came to the concert to say goodbye to her music teacher.

“It always seemed like (teaching us) was the best part of her day,” Bussier said.

Her influence sunk in deeply for many students, such as James Maloney, who had Basiul as a teacher over a decade ago, but still remembered her love for the music. He wanted to come for the last concert. Maloney, who sang in high school and college, said he greatly enjoyed his time with Basiul.

“I was impressed by her willingness to introduce great music. It wasn’t always what was possible, but she knew the importance of good teaching,” Maloney said.

Basiul got emotional while talking to the crowd of current and past students.

“I’m thankful to have been blessed by a choir of angels,” Basiul announced to the crowd, with a few tears in her eyes.

After the choir sang several pieces, including a Beatles song and a mix of several pieces from “Les Miserables,” several students surprised the audience with a song they wrote for Basiul. The students arrived early to school several times to practice in order to create the performance-ready song.

“We had to find something that you couldn’t give away to charity,” Lauder said. It was an iTunes giftcard.

Principal Anthony M. Cipro Jr. credited Basiul with a few words and announced that both the House of Representatives and Massachusetts State Senate sent proclamations of recognition for her 34 years of service.

“It takes a music teacher from Sterling to get the House and the Senate to agree on something harmoniously,” Cipro said, laughing.

Basiul gave credit to Chocksett Middle School for continuing to offer music, chorus, band and orchestra for its students, while other schools in the region have ended the programs.

“Our students get to choose where they want to be and are happy to be there, and this a win-win situation for teachers and students,” she said.

After the presents and the speeches, Basiul sat down to enjoy the rest of the evening, unaware that a celebration in her honor awaited her in the cafeteria. Even more surprising, her two adult sons — John and Chris Basiul — snuck into the gymnasium and gave their mother a big hug.

John Basiul described the secrecy about her retirement party with a smile. Collaborating with some of the other teachers at Chocksett, he and his brother wanted to help in any way they could, so they came to support their mother and also helped pick out a gift.

“She always used to say that she didn’t just have two kids — all of her students were her kids,” John Basiul, said “She loved to say they were her babies.”

“I know it sounds corny,” Susanne Basiul said this week, “but as I look back, I remember that every day I have said a prayer, when I wake up, that that day, I can show love to these wonderful little angels through my music. I always remember their faces when they were their ‘littlest,’ like a mother would do.”

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